TZANEEN – Residents of Lusaka in Dan village have suffered from chronic water shortages for years, leaving them with no choice but to resort to illegal water connections to meet their daily needs.

Residents say long-term shortages leave families without water

One of the affected residents, Hitekani Maswanganyi, said the community was pushed into desperate measures by circumstances beyond its control.

“We have been experiencing water shortages for a very long time,” Maswanganyi said.

“People did not wake up one day and decide to make illegal connections.

“We reached a point where we had no choice. Water is a basic necessity, and when there is no reliable supply, families have to find ways to survive.”

Maswanganyi explained that residents often spend days without running water, forcing them to walk long distances in search of alternative sources or purchase water from vendors at prices many cannot afford.

Daily survival challenges in affected households

“Children need water, elderly people need water, and households cannot function without it,” he said.

“When the taps remain dry for days, people become desperate. The illegal connections happened because residents felt abandoned and had no other option.”

Community members say the unauthorised connections are a symptom of a much deeper problem rather than the root cause. They argue that the long-standing failure to provide a consistent water supply has created conditions where residents feel compelled to take matters into their own hands.

While the illegal connections have helped some households gain access to water, they have also raised concerns about water losses, pressure problems, and safety risks. Despite this, many residents insist that without these connections, their families would be left without water altogether.

Municipal response and infrastructure upgrades

Mopani District Municipality spokesperson Mildred Risaba said the municipality recently installed a reticulation pipeline and six standpipes in Lusaka, a fast-growing settlement similar to Mbambamencisi and Nkomanini, to improve water access for residents.

“Previously, community members had to collect water from a single point, causing frustration and overcrowding.

“Since the installation of the standpipes, residents can access water closer to their homes. However, one street located at the top of the mountain is still experiencing water supply challenges,” said Risaba.

Illegal connections and growing demand remain challenges

She added that illegal connections, vandalism of infrastructure and demands for individual household connections without payment for services remain key challenges.

“As the settlement continues to grow, the municipality’s current plan is to increase the number of communal standpipes to ensure more residents have access to water,” she said.